Julian MacKay, a soloist with the Mikhailovsky ballet, flew in from St. Petersburg, Russia, to take center stage at Ryan Roche earlier today, dancing among a circle of models dressed in pale shades of apricot and optic white. His fluid, improvised movements were right in step with the designer’s style. After all, Roche has made a name for herself with easy, luxurious knitwear, and many of the delicate cashmere pieces on show today looked like elevated versions of a dancer’s uniform—gently flared leggings, camisoles, and belted cardigans.

If Roche were to name a prima ballerina for the collection, though, as far as inspiration goes, it would be the late Princess Diana. You could see her influence in a high-neck lace blouse and the pouf at the shoulder of a skinny sweater. The leg-of-mutton sleeve of the ’80s has made a comeback in the last few seasons, thanks to the likes of Hedi Slimane and J.W. Anderson, though in Roche’s hands it was stripped of all brashness and appeared like a natural extension of her soft and inviting aesthetic. It certainly proved to be an appealing proposition to many in the audience at her presentation; supermodel Carolyn Murphy rattled off a long list of looks for personal order from the sidelines, including a cool white sweatshirt trimmed withlace and a pair of wide-legged pants.